What’s happening in Black Cincinnati in 2023
Cincinnati African American Events this year.
Hip-hop, R&B, soul, jazz, reggae, gospel, old school, and symphony live-music concerts happening in Cincinnati in 2023
Black composers, plays, museum exhibits, comedy shows, concert series, operas, dance recitals, local music, and festivals in Cincinnati.
Black Cincinnatians can routinely and affordably enjoy the performing arts, fine arts, musicians, entertainers, comedians, program initiatives, and more. Arts and entertainment can help improve physical and mental health.
Cincinnati is also extremely fortunate that nationally known artists display their talents in the Queen City music scene. Touring acclaimed African American artists, artistic directors, singers, music directors and performers routinely visit.
Ask the box office about exclusive deals, discount options, community performances, dress rehearsals, recitals or same-day options when purchasing tickets. Some events will sell out quickly, so purchase tickets while you can.
Feel free to submit an event to be considered in this article. All Cincinnati African American Events listed are as current as the publication date. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information before acting.
2023 Cincinnati African American Events
Two Men in the Crossfire
Group Discussion
February 1, 7 p.m.
Walnut Hills Branch Library or Zoom
Begin Black History Month with the narratives of two men who made their way to Cincinnati after being enslaved.
Rubberband
Dance Performance
February 3 – February 4
The Aronoff Center for the Arts (Downtown)
Combining the energy of Hip Hop, the refinement of classical Ballet, and the angular quality of Contemporary Dance.
Lil Duval
Comedy Show
February 3 – February 5
Funny Bone (Liberty Township)
Hailing from Jacksonville, Duval country, Florida, Lil Duval takes more than just a stage name from home.
Macy Gray
R&B Concert
February 4, 8:30 p.m.
The Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
Macy Gray is an American R&B and soul singer and actress known for her distinctive raspy voice.
Memories & Inspiration
Art Exhibit
February 4 – March 14
Taft Museum of Art (Downtown)
The gallery features 67 works of art, including sculptures, paintings, photographs, and other mediums by well-known African American artists.
Ecologies of Elsewhere
Art Exhibit
February 10 – August 6
Contemporary Arts Center (Downtown)
Ecologies of Elsewhere features multidisciplinary artworks and activations that explore the physical and symbolic properties of plant life.
18th Annual Daddy-Daughter Dance
18th Annual Daddy-Daughter DanceDinner Dance
February 11, 6 p.m.
Duke Energy Convention Center (Downtown)
Walk the red carpet into a special evening of dinner, dancing, a keepsake professional daddy-daughter photo, prizes, and more.
Legendz of the Streetz Tour Reloaded
Hip-Hop Concert
February 11, 7 p.m.
Heritage Bank Center (The Banks)
Lineups could include Rick Ross, Jeezy, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, Ja Rule, Plies, Jadakiss, Cam’ron, and Jucee Froot.
Alex Bugnon & Marion Meadows
Jazz Concert
February 11, 8:30 p.m.
The Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
Jazz pianist and saxophonist Alex Bugnon & Marion Meadows will be at Ludlow Garage.
Mandy Gaines Sings Songs of Love & Longing
Jazz Concert
February 13, 7 p.m.
Memorial Hall (OTR)
Celebrate Valentine’s Day one night early with a special concert by world-class jazz vocalist Mandy Gaines
Annie
Broadway Musical
February 7 – February 12
The Aronoff Center for the Arts (Downtown)
Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always around the corner.
Universal Magnetic
Art Exhibition
February 16 – June 4
Taft Museum of Art (Downtown)
Combining historical images with decorative motifs that adorn and memorialize representations of racial identity in the United States.
Vibe Fellows Exhibition
Art Exhibition
Through February 16
Kennedy Heights Arts Center (Kennedy Heights)
See the photography and illustration exhibition, Vibe Fellows, by Shi Low and Ke’Monte’ Figgs at Kennedy Heights Arts Center.
Related Article: Things to do this week in Black Cincinnati
Nduduzo Makhathini Quartet
Jazz Concert
February 16, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Caffe Vivace (Walnut Hills)
Join as Caffe Vivace proudly presents the Nduduzo Makhathini Quartet as part of the Winter Jazz Series
The Love Triangle
R&B Concert
February 17, 8 p.m.
The Aronoff Center for the Arts (Downtown)
Marsha Ambrosius, Raheem DeVaughn, and Keke Wyatt will perform an unforgettable evening of love songs.
Joshua Redman
Jazz Concert
February 17, 8 p.m.
Memorial Hall (OTR)
Joshua Redman is one of the most acclaimed and charismatic jazz musicians of the 1990s.
It’s Love
Dance Performance
February 17 – February 18
The Aronoff Center for the Arts (Downtown)
The dancers will illustrate the complexities of love as told through the perspective of four different choreographers.
Eric Gales with Ally Venable
Blues Concert
February 22, 7:30 p.m.
The Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
Blues artists Eric Gales and Ally Venable will perform live at the Ludlow Garage.
Cincinnati Ques Mardi Gras
Fundraiser
February 25
Kolping Center (Greenhills)
This is the Cincinnati Ques’ signature event and serves as the primary fundraiser for their mission of providing scholarships.
The Gift
Art Exhibition
Through February 25
Wave Pool (Camp Washington)
“The Gift” is a meditation on the ways in which Art can allow us to reimagine new currencies of exchange. In the reimagination, narratives of scarcity and competition are rejected, and thriving for all is possible.
Aries Spears
Comedy Show
March 3 – March 4
Funny Bone (Liberty Township)
A quick wit, charm, and aggressive style of comedy will leave the audience rolling in laughter.
Free as they want to be: Artists Committed to Memory
Art Exhibition
Through March 6
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (The Banks)
Symbols of the past are shown in a new light as works from over 20 artists explore issues of unfreedom.
Tootsie
Broadway Musical
March 7 – March 19
The Aronoff Center for the Arts (Downtown)
A laugh-out-loud love letter to the theatre, based on the Oscar®-nominated film.
K Michelle
R&B Concert
March 10, 6:30 p.m.
Bogart’s (Clifton)
American singer, actress, and television personality K Michelle will be live at Bogart’s
Marvel’s Black Panther
Symphony Concert
March 10 – March 12
Music Hall (OTR)
The Cincinnati Pops will perform Ludwig Göransson’s Oscar-winning score live to picture.
Key Glock
Rap Concert
March 22, 8 p.m.
Andrew J Brady Music Center (The Banks)
Key Glock announces his 2023 tour with support from Big Scarr this upcoming spring.
Kountry Wayne
Comedy Tour
March 24, 8 p.m.
Taft Theatre (Downtown)
The Help is on the Way tour marks Wayne’s return to the stage following his spring 2022 tour.
Stanley Clarke
Jazz Concert
March 24, 8 p.m.
The Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
Stanley Clarke is an American bassist and film composer.
Beethoven’s Fifth
Symphony Performance
March 24 – March 26
Music Hall (OTR)
Russian conductor Anna Rakitina leads works by composers who lived with hearing loss- Beethoven and British composer Richard Ayres.
New Edition with Keith Sweat, Guy, and Tank
R&B Performance
March 26
Heritage Bank Center (The Banks)
Multi-platinum-selling R&B supergroup New Edition is returning with Keith Sweat, Guy, and special guest Tank.
Related Article: Jazz events and venues in Cincinnati
CSO Proof: Surrealist El Tropical
Broadway Musical
March 29 – March 30
Music Hall (OTR)
Join filmmaker Federico Fellini as he stumbles down an alley in old Havana.
Emmaline
Soul Concert
March 31, 8:30 p.m.
The Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
Bringing a smoky jazz-infused genre-fluid voice.
Kem and Ledisi
R&B Concert
April 7, 8 p.m.
Heritage Bank Center (The Banks)
R&B legends, Kem and Ledisi, announce The Soul II Soul Tour.
Kirk Whalum
Jazz Concert
April 8, 8:30 p.m.
The Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
American R&B and smooth jazz saxophonist and songwriter Kirk Whalum will perform live.
Classical Roots
Symphony Concert
April 14, 7:30 p.m.
Music Hall (OTR)
Join the Cincinnati Pops and the Classical Roots Community Mass Choir to celebrate a Queen City tradition.
Pictures at an Exhibition
Orchestra Concert
April 15 – April 16
Music Hall (OTR)
Mussorgsky’s Picture at an Exhibition is an epic musical stroll through an eclectic gallery of paintings.
Katt Williams
Comedy Show
April 29, 8 p.m.
Heritage Bank Center (The Banks)
Comedy legend and Emmy® Award-winning actor Katt Williams announced his “2023 and Me” tour.
Hadestown
Broadway Musical
April 18 – April 30
The Aronoff Center for the Arts (Downtown)
Welcome to Hadestown, where a song can change your fate.
Annual Health Expo
Health Expo
April 30, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Washington Park (OTR)
Enjoy health information, healthy food and fitness, and local and national entertainment.
Bible Stories
Dance Performance
May 5 – May 6
The Aronoff Center for the Arts (Downtown)
Bible Stories brings to life some of the most exciting tales of the highest-selling book in the world.
Cincinnati Music Festival
Music Festival
July 20 – July 22
Paycor Stadium (The Banks)
Traditionally known as Cincinnati Jazz Fest or the Cincinnati Jazz Festival, the event will take place along the Ohio riverfront.
Black Family Reunion
Festival
August 17 – August 20
Sawyer Point (The Banks)
Including consumers, corporations, and communities, and focusing on the historic strengths and values of the Black Family.
Related Article: Midwest Events and Festivals
Cincinnatians can enjoy music nearly every night of the week. Visit our weekly list of things to do to see which arts centers, concert halls, auditoriums and venues offer chamber, classical, philharmonic, orchestral, choral, folk, R&B, hip-hop, soul or gospel music.
See African American instrumentalists play the violin concerto, cello, clarinet, piano, drums and saxophone. Music from Mozart, Brahms and Mahler is often performed by local symphony orchestras, string quartets, trios, duos and soloists.
Written by: Crystal Kendrick
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Cincinnati African American Events photo provided by © [Olesia Bilkei] /Adobe Stock
